History Being Made

It was an incredibly moving week for me. Couples in California who have been denied equality for so long began to get married — in weddings recognized by the largest state in the nation. It’s one of those rare moments when we can actually recognize history as it’s being made — both for the country and for the couples and families celebrating this week.

As a long-time admirer of feminist and equal-rights pioneers Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, I love that so many people have signed our guestbook with heartfelt wishes for the two of them. They have been together for 55 years and were the first couple to be married on Monday evening. If you haven’t done so, here’s your last chance before we deliver our best wishes to them.

This week’s images were so positive, so reflective of what’s best in our lives and communities, that it is jarring to be reminded that some people will stop at nothing to pull the rug out from under these couples. If you saw what comes across my desk every day, you’d understand that this is Armageddon for the Far Right.

It’s not just ridiculous end-of-civilization rhetoric. The Right knows how high the stakes are on this, and they fear the public is moving away from them on this issue. They know that if their ballot initiative to roll back equality fails, they will lose their ability to dismiss progress as the actions of a few rogue judges overriding the will of the people. So they are pulling out every lie in their heavy handbook. And they are pouring millions of dollars into their campaign to reverse the tide of history.

Polls show that we can win in California — but it’s going to be close and hard-fought. I’m proud and excited that People For is working shoulder to shoulder with so many allies to win this battle for people’s hearts and minds. We’re putting together a campaign in California that’s going to make a real difference — something you’ll be hearing a lot more about in the weeks and months to come.